You are searching for a job with millions of other people. You must be creative, you must persevere, you must be prepared for disappointment, and you must network as hard as you have ever done before. This last step has a tag along obligation. Be gracious, thankful and helpful in return. Too many networkers are confronted by the grueling process of the job search and fail to give back to those who help them. By this last statement, I don’t mean that a person is obligated to do business with or send business to the person that helped them. I do mean that a job seeker that has been helped should do the following at a minimum:
1) Thank the person that helped them
2) Send the person a note when you finally obtain a new position – if this person was instrumental in helping find the position – tell them so!
3) Follow up on an occasional basis with the referral person and ask how you may be of service in return.
What goes around comes around. If the network believes that you are using them, you will not get further help.
My mission is “Improving People’s Lives and their Businesses”. I help people in job searches without any thought of monetary return. I am surprised then when I hear nothing from that individual (for me, “thank you” from step 1) above is sufficient). I am even more surprised when the same people come back in the future with the same problem and expect my help.
Good luck, work hard and show appreciation for those that help you.
©2009 Jim Lindell